Sharp VLWD450U MiniDV Digital Camcorder w/2.5'' Viewfinder & Built-in Digital Still Mode

The Sharp VL-WD450U is a compact, relatively easy-to-use DV camcorder. Right out of the box, anyone who's used a camcorder before can put the camera to use. Primary functions are easily controlled by the right hand while gripping the camera. Recording is as simple as pressing the button located at your thumb, and the zoom is operated by means of a rocker switch under your forefinger. The zoom is variable, so the farther you press the rocker in a particular direction, the faster the zoom operates. In subjective tests, there seemed to be three different zoom speed levels. The surprisingly large 26x optical zoom lens (made by Canon) is paired with a digital image stabilization system. The image stabilization is relatively effective with slight hand-shake, but don't expect to walk around and have the stabilizer make up for your body movement. This system works by cropping the picture on the CCD and using the excess information as a buffer. Digital stabilization isn't as good a solution as an optically based system, but it's more compact and significantly less expensive. The digital image stabilization can be turned off through the menu system.

The menu system is a bit confusing the first time you access it. If you haven't taken the time to read the manual, you'll probably have difficulty with the navigation. You move through the various menus using the VCR controls (rewind, fast-forward, play, etc.) located on the same side of the camera as the LCD monitor. This location is a little bizarre, as your hand partially blocks the LCD screen from view--don't expect to use the camcorder while moving around in the menus. After you get over the initial difficulty, the menus aren't too bad. A selection of icons along the left side represent the main categories. Each selection has various submenus that may or may not unfold into more menus.

While the camcorder comes with the ability to shoot stills onto an included 8-MB SmartMedia card, you can't shoot video and stills at the same time. To capture stills onto the memory card, you first have to flip a "media" switch that chooses between tape and card. While set to tape, you can shoot video and capture either six seconds of still footage, or a continuous still image onto the MiniDV cassette. Transfer of the still images from the SmartMedia card to a computer is troublesome. You'll need a PC with a serial port, and Macs aren't compatible with either the hardware or software. Sharp should have used a USB connection instead--it's speedier and more universal.

In addition to the built-in mic, Sharp includes a unique zoom microphone that can be set to sync automatically with the lens. The mic adds to the overall size of the camera, but dramatically improves the quality of the sound on your recordings, greatly reducing background noise and making it easier to hear the subjects in your recordings. For added portability, the microphone can be removed, automatically activating the built-in microphone in the camera.

Apparently, Sharp doesn't expect most moviemakers to use the camera for more than its most basic functions, and includes only a simple RCA cord in the package. The camera has an IEEE1394 connection for lossless digital transfer of your movies to your computer or another camcorder, and also has s-video output for connection to many newer televisions, especially higher-end models. If you want to use these features, however, you'll have to run to the store for another cable.

All in all, the Sharp VL-WD450U is pretty good at what it does--shoot digital video onto MiniDV tapes. The Canon video lens is a great piece of glass, and probably one of the most--if not the most--important piece of equipment in the camcorder. Our only qualms come with the limited connectivity options for transferring still images, and the lack of video cables. Although it's common practice in the industry to skimp on the bundle, it's still kind of annoying. --Michael Lewis

Pros:

• Canon made 26x optical zoom
• Zoom microphone included
• Still shot capability--records onto SmartMedia or tape

Cons:

• The bundle lacks both IEEE1394 and s-video cables
• Still image download is serial-based and the driver software is Windows only